A temporary observation tower has a weight of 24 000 N24\,000\ \text{N}24000 N and rests on four identical footplates. Its weight is shared equally between the footplates. The maximum pressure allowed on the ground is 25 000 Pa25\,000\ \text{Pa}25000 Pa. The table shows the contact area of each footplate in two designs.
| Design | Contact area of each footplate in m2\text{m}^{2}m2 |
|---|---|
| A | 0.16 |
| B | 0.30 |
Calculate the minimum contact area required for each footplate.
Calculate the pressure for each design and assess which design can be used. Explain how the contact areas affect your decision.
132 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 15.2 Pressure in fluids, covering 15.2.1 Atmospheric pressure and height, 15.2.2 Pressure in fluids, 15.2.3 Pressure, force and area, 15.2.4 Pressure and depth, 15.2.5 Pressure in liquids: depth and density, 15.2.6 Upthrust, and 15.2.7 Floating and sinking. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.